Things To Do & Days Out in Kent

The Hop Farm Family Park The family park is packed full of new features and undercover wonders to entertain and fuel imaginations: come and enjoy a farm day out. Outdoor action... Indoor fun... It's for everyone!

Dickens World is a 90 minute journey of discovery. Your personal guide will walk and talk you through the amazing life and story of Charles Dickens as well as the tales of Victorian England. It is a chance to meet all of the nice and nasty characters that Charles Dickens loved and wrote about in his novels and short...

Diggerland Kent is The Ultimate Adventure Theme Park Experience where children and adults alike can ride, drive and operate REAL diggers, dumpers and other full size construction machinery. With new rides for 2016, you need to get to Diggerland Kent!

Wildwood Wildwood is a great day out where you can see amazing British wildlife including wolves, foxes, deer, badgers, owls, wild horses, lynx, beavers, wild cats, bison, squirrels, wild boar and many more. Plus, kids can go wild in our amazing adventure play park featuring Kent's tallest vertical drop slide.

Groombridge Enchanted Forest The Enchanted Forest has giant tree swings, teepees, a pirate ship and board walk with zip wire and rope swings. See the Zedonk, watch birds of prey and take a canal boat ride. Beautiful gardens with a giant chess set.

Eagle Heights A small animal park based in the beautiful Darent Valley, near Brands Hatch in Kent. There are over 100 Birds of Prey to see, plus Reptile House, Meerkats, Otters, Goats, Donkey, Pony, Pigs and much more. Playarea, Gift Shop and Tearoom. Free Parking. Experience Days available.

Howletts Wild Animal Park The famous animal collection is set in 90 acres of ancient parkland. From close encounters with tigers at the glass fronted enclosures to a high ropes adventure on the Treetop Challenge and a walkthrough Lemur paddock, you'll find surprises around every corner.

Port Lympne Wild Animal Park A safari adventure set in 100 acres where animals roam free together as if on the plains of Africa: plus the world’s largest gorilla enclosure and big creepy crawlies in the Discovery Zone.

Beaver Water World An animal rescue centre charity with loads to see and learn about. Quiz sheets available for the kids, plus tours and handling. Reasonably priced and open daily except for Christmas Day.

Foal Farm Animal Rescue Centre Rescued dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and more are now safe and sound here and ready for you to visit! Learn about the great work they do with the animals and maybe even join in one of their projects like helping with bunny socialisation!

Kent Life Come and explore 28 acres of fun for every generation, from hands on activites for kids to age old farming traditions that bring back memories of way back when. We've got animals to cuddle, tractors to ride, play areas to go wild in and cafes to relax in.

Rare Breeds Centre From the exotic Butterfly tunnel to the delights of the Discovery Garden; woodland walks to the Secret Lake; plus two play parks, falconry displays, a tube maze and indoor soft play barn: there is something for everyone.

Powell-Cotton Museum Major Powell-Cotton was a pioneer in the use of the diorama to display mounted mammals in representations of their natural habitats. The collections support the study, understanding and simple enjoyment of the zoological, cultural and ecological diversity of Africa and the Indian sub-continent. Further...

Canterbury Heritage Museum From Roman settlement to Rupert Bear, see the history of Canterbury through fascinating objects, hands on displays and activities all set in the magnificent medieval Poor Priests' Hospital.

Canterbury Roman Museum Explore the Roman town beneath your feet! Canterbury's Underground Roman Museum is built around the remains of a Roman town house with mosaics preserved where excavated. Discover amazing finds including a hoard of hidden treasure, stroll through the marketplace and look inside recreated Roman rooms!

Maidstone Museum and Bentlif Gallery Housed in an Elizabethan manor house, our museum is one of the best in the South-East. See our 2,500 year old Egyptian mummy; journey through time to when dinosaurs walked the Earth (and Maidstone) as well as local, archaeological and regimental history. There’s always something to see and do!

Herne Bay Museum and Gallery Fun hands on activities and a family trail keep kids interested throughout this local art and seaside themed facility. Events include creative workshops and special activities for schools and groups.

Lashenden Air Warfare Museum One of the longest established aviation museums in the country, offering a vast array of exhibits and aircraft to enjoy plus regular fly bus by vintage planes at the sound of the klaxon!

Dover Transport Museum Friendly museum with a fascinating collection of vintage transport and transport models of all types including a few unusual ones like a Romany Caravan, a charabanc and steam roller! Seasonal opening.

Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Musem A chance to see and learn about iconic RAF fighter planes from World War II. There is also lots of memorabilia to check out, mostly from the time of the war. Free to visit.

Royal Engineers Museum A museum dedicated to the history of the Royal Marine Corps. A chance to see Wellington’s map of Waterloo, plus a number of cool vehicles including a Harrier jump jet and bridge laying tanks.

Beaney House of Art and Knowledge With loads of galleries and collections to explore, plus family sessions, drop in activity sessions and workshops throughout the year. Plus family trails and a great range of adventurous birthday party themes!

Maidstone Leisure Centre One of the best indoor attractions in Kent. With diving boards, flumes, wave machine, giant inflatable, polar adventure play area and a great cafe, we have all you need for a great family day out.

Larkfield Leisure Centre From our great fun swimming pools with lazy river rapids, waves, water cannons and animal themed toddler pool, to soft play adventure or something a little more sporty you'ÂÂÂre bound to find something to suit you and your family!

Faversham Swimming Pool Year round swimming with the added summer time bonus of three fantastic outdoor pools; 33 metre pool with diving boards (1m and 3m springboard and a 5m platform), a paddling pool and a wild water rapids pool which are all available from May to September.

White Oak Leisure Centre With 2 super cool flume rides plus inflatable lazy river, diving boards up to 5m, teaching pool and then soft play and sports facilities, this is a full day out waiting to happen!

West Wickham Leisure Centre As well as offering adult and junior swimming lessons and adult lane swimming they offer a varied swimming programme including aquafit, Kids' Splash and Swim Zone. There are also diving facilities with a 1m springboard!

Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre offering a professional and welcoming environment for swimming and diving with 1, 3 and 5m boards and loads of supporting acts dry side like table tennis, badminton and junior zumba. Yay!

Swallows Leisure Centre We are a leisure centre with a swimming pool with features including flume, waves, pirate ship and giant inflatable slide. We have gym, 6 court sports hall for activities such as badminton, football and basketball. We also have a brand new adventure world soft play area.

Polar Adventure and Pool Awesome Fun Pool with rapids, waves and interactive water features for toddlers, plus one of Kent's fastest flumes and the inflatable Aqua Challenge! On the dry side there's also the polar Adventure soft play facility with Ice Hill Slides. Cool!

Monkey Bizz Lose yourself in the jungle of rope swings, slides and mazes. Hide in the spooky caves, 'swim' through the jungle 'lake' and escape over the rope bridge. Good idea if you're after fun family days out in kent with kids. Separate, large Tots' Town play area for babies to under 5s.

Merry Go Round Well established and extra large multi level play zone for under 12s featuring mainframe play structure with toddler zone and immersive laser storm arena, plus special events groups and private party options.

Ollies Childrens Indoor Play Centre 4 level indoor play area for 12s and under, also offers creche. As housed in a leisure centre, plenty of sporting opportunities exist including swimming. Max height 148cm.

Adventure Kidz Indoor Adventure Centre with high ropes AND indoor quad bikes! They also have brand new soft play with multiple slides, including a 6 metre drop slide, football and basketball area, a toddlers’ zone, five party rooms and so much more!

Madplay They have a separate Toddler’s area designed for children aged 1 to 3 and a main frame structure for the 4 to 11 year olds packed full of classic exciting features to entertain and exercise the most rambunctious of kids!

Bumble Beez Fantastic multi level adventure fun with loads of features, plus staff are trained in disability awareness and inclusive play, with equipment designed to be inclusive for ALL children of ALL abilities All together!

Kikiland is a unique and exciting indoor adventure play centre. Key features include a wooden pirate ship plus cinema, disco, arcade, train, chill out and dressing up rooms. We even have a magical volcano for birthday parties!

Big Fun House The brilliant Tots' Town offers role play environments including construction workshop, Kids' Kitchen, Train Station and Disco! While the main play area is full of crazy padded antics and challenges, plus loads of slides and balls, and a football pitch on the very top!

Faversham Activity Centre Our clean and child friendly facility has both a children's gymnastics arena and a super fun soft indoor play area with loads of features plus an under 2s zone. We also host great children’s parties!

Chislehurst Caves Grab a lantern and get ready for an amazing adventure! Your whole family can travel back in time, on an exciting lamp lit tour of the labyrinth that is Chislehurst Caves. Hear tales of Druids, Romans and Saxons; see the Caves Church, Druid Altar, Haunted Pool and a whole lot more!

The Wartime Tunnels at Dover Castle For over 200 years the tunnels have provided shelter, safety and secrecy to those defending our shores. In this new permanent exhibition, delve deeper into the history of the tunnels, from Napoleonic times right up to the Cold War.

The Shell Grotto Discover 70 feet of underground passageways unearthed in 1875 with some 4.6 million shells mosaiced in mysterious patterns and pictures on the walls. Still nobody knows who made it or why! Wonderful!

Ramsgate Tunnels Hour long underground tours explore the wartime tunnels dug for sheltering citizens. Kids 3 to 7 can be admitted but this is at the discretion of the guide who is experienced enough to know generally who will and won't enjoy it!

Fan Bay Deep Shelter After 50 years abandoned in the dark these exciting World War Two tunnels are now open for visitors! Travel 125 steps down and into a guided tour of military history, plus visitor centre and cool acoustic mirrors above ground too. For over 12s only!

Leeds Castle set on two islands on the River Len in the heart of Kent, has been home to royalty, lords and ladies for more than 900 years. Visitors are transported through the castle's history; an eclectic mix of period architecture, sumptuous interiors and family treasures waiting to be discovered.

Hever Castle and Gardens Loads to do for kids including adventure playground, dry and wet water maze! Miniture model houses exhibition and costumed figures. Castle audio tour in children's English available too!

Dover Castle Immersive, atmospheric and educational with high tech effects, costumed characters and mysterious tunnels to explore! This is a trip which ticks all the boxes for tough nuts, but sensitive sorts may want to avoid a few sections.

Chiddingstone Castle A unique castle where families can discover ancient artefacts from Egyptian, Buddhist, Japanese, Jacobean and Stuart history. See real Japanese armour, samurai swords, a mummified cat and much more! Try on period costumes and enjoy arts and crafts activities as well as themed activity days throughout the year.

Lullingstone Castle and World Garden Outdoor play and learning with so much to see, smell and touch in the World Garden. Older children better known as intrepid plant hunters can take our Plant Hunter Quiz challenge and little ones enjoy the new mirror garden!

Chartwell Home of Churchill Discover Sir Winston's own paintings in his fascinating studio, have a picnic near the adventure playground, build a den with their stick stacks, enjoy family trails and visit their working kitchen garden with bees and chickens!

Penshurst Place and Gardens Something to offer all the family with the recreation of historic events, craft activities, seasonal children's gardens trails, adventure playground and nearly seven centuries of history all in one place!

Walmer Castle and Gardens Beautiful castle and grounds that was once home to the Duke of Wellington. Battlements to explore plus some great views of the coast with extra spit and polish this year to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo.

Canterbury Cathedral Welcomes all casual visitors as well as spiritual to explore, tour, get your history fix or hear some heavenly music. Plenty of interesting facts and trails for the kids, including how they used to clean the beautiful stained windows with wee!

Canterbury Ghost Tour Take a twilit tour of this medieval city at your pleasurable peril and explore the central historic buildings and their horrible haunting stories, all told my a knowledgeable ghost in a top hat and cloak. Shivers and history aplenty!

Lullingstone Roman Villa Explore a luxurious Roman villa with rare wall paintings, original mosaics, bath suite and home church, with a special light show and film combo. Kids can handle artefacts, try on Roman garb and play ancient board games!

Silver Blades Ice Rink This family friendly frost fest boasts a full size ice pad for public skating and lessons as well as a great toddler sessions with ice toys, in bright modern surroundings. They offer penguin skate aid hire for little ones.

Go Ape Bedgebury The UK's No.1 Forest Adventure. Award winning outdoor adventure activities. Families and friends can enjoy a day out like no other. Fly down zip wires, leap off Tarzan Swings and tackle obstacles whilst enjoying some of Britain’s most breathtaking scenery.

Revolution Skatepark Cool but friendly park for Skateboarders, BMXers, Scooterists and Inliners with Street Course plus Bowl and Ramp Rooms! On same site as Revolution Indoor Climbing Centre so why not combine the two and really do the kids in!?

Cyclopark 6km of first class cycling, running and extreme sports facilities throughout the park with separate trails for different abilities. Other features include a unique 3000m2 cycle based playground!

Jumpers Rebound Centre An interconnected trampoline arena for bouncy gymnastics and tumbling! Mainly for their pro club but with bonus sessions set aside for Tots and families with over 5s. Seriously fun exercise, and fully GymMark accredited!

Revolution Climbing Centre Offering bouldering zone with cave and overhangs, 5m training wall and 9m main wall, with courses, starter tasters and Junior Climbing Club! Get in on the high of climbing, even if you're staying low!

Build A Base Dart Tag Combat Build your own base from giant Lego blocks then defend it while attacking everyone else's with your trusty dart gun! Soft projectiles stick to the combat vests and are removed by medic marshall for re spawning: no mess, no pain, just good clean fun. Unless you're playing dirty!

Lydd Karting Junior and Cadet karts for younger users, who are able to have a go from just 4 years old! If the kids just fancy a blast about in one of the karts with their friends then they offer 15 minute sessions for a mere £20.

Canterbury Spy Mission Treasure Trail Solve the clues to complete a spy mission around Canterbury on this self guided themed Treasure Trail. Find all the answers along the route to reveal the deactivation code and complete your mission!

Canterbury Guided Walking Tours A 90 minute tour of the area with either a drop in overview tour or a pre booked Special Interest type. Either way they're hugely experienced and highly accredited, great with kids and full of facts!

Kent & East Sussex Railway Enjoy a train journey with the Kent & East Sussex Railway between Tenterden and Bodiam Stations. Visit nearby Bodiam Castle plus attend special family events such as Day Out with Thomas, Halloween and also Santa Specials.

Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway is the world’s smallest public railway where families can travel 13.5 miles from the picturesque Cinque Port of Hythe, near the channel tunnel, to the fishermen's cottages and lighthouses at Dungeness. There are six stations and our station at Dymchurch is only a 5 minute walk away from the Beach.

The Bredgar and Wormshill Light Railway With infinite train rides included in admission your little trainspotters are in for a treat! Plus LGB model railway, woodland walks and picnic areas near working track. Blissful!

Elham Valley Railway Museum Step back in time to the 1930's. Come along and visit the Elham Valley Railway Museum at Peene,
just off the A20 at Folkestone, Kent, England. Leave the M20 motorway at junction 12, just after
signs for the Eurotunnel.

Dover Sea Safari Let the kids put on their pirate outfits for an exhilarating RIB boat trip from Dover Harbour. Spot the smugglers caves along the bottom of the White Cliffs or venture onwards to see the friendly seals that can only be accessed by boat.
Our Skipper and Crew will provide a professional fun and interactive...

Spa Valley Railway Heritage steam and diesel trains run for 5.5 miles through the picturesque Kent and Sussex Weald between Eridge and Royal Tunbridge Wells, stopping off at Groombridge and High Rocks. Take a journey through time along this classic English Branch Line!

East Kent Railway We are a volunteer run heritage railway operating vintage trains on an ex colliery railway. Plenty of attractions for kids including miniature and model railways and special events all year round! Fantastic country atmosphere and friendly volunteers.

Swanley New Barn Railway A miniature railway in Swanley Park giving rides over a half mile of track. The park itself contains a paddling pool, water jets, a Family Boating Lake, sand pit play area, a large playground, and cafe.

Canterbury Historic River Tours Enjoy a 40 minute historical boat tour with light hearted informed commentary and pleasing features for kids to look at, including going under bridges and other ancient architecture. Comfortable and fascinating with views denied to landlubbers!

Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest Open every day, Bedgebury is the perfect place for kids to let off steam. The National Pinetum offers beautiful walks and picnics amongst the conifers. Bedgebury Forest features family cycling, mountain biking, Go Ape, riding, walking and adventure play. The Visitor Centre has a bike shop, refreshments and...

Brockhill Country Park Offering a new adventure playground, lakeside walks with friendly ducks around and a circular route which explores the whole thing. No glitz and few features but great terrain for a traditional picnic outing.

Druidstone Park Whether you fancy meeting friendly animals, enjoying the adventure play area, finding adventure and whimsy in the enchanted woodland or just relaxing in idyllic surroundings, you won't be disappointed at Druidstone Park!

Bewl Water is the southeast's largest reservoir. Today it is one of the top tourist destinations in Kent and Sussex. New are Tree Climbing and Model Boating. You can also enjoy our playground, children's fishing and high adrenaline activities such as Hydroballing, Fan Descender, Zip Wire and 3G swing!

River Hill Himalayan Gardens Discover the Everest trail in this magical, listed garden with incredible views across the Weald of Kent. Let your Little Sherpas' imaginations run wild in our new Himalayan Hideout, spend time building dens together, lose yourself in the Himalayan maze and perhaps even spot the elusive Yeti!

Dane John Gardens A former castle park with small adventure playground close to the shopping centre and with great views over the city. Ideal for giving the kids an hour's break from the retail and resting your legs while they stretch theirs!

Lower Leas Coastal Park Landscaped gardens with stunning floral displays, easy access to the beach and The Leas, and the largest free play area in the south east with rocking boats, climbing walls, tunnels, wobbly bridges, tube slides, toddler construction area, sand diggers and a sunken pirate ship.

Monkton Nature Reserve Set in 16 beautiful acres of abandoned chalk quarry, which has been dramatically reclaimed by nature and is ready for exploration. They also house the Thanet Observatory and the first artificial bat cave built in the UK.

Knole Park is a historic house and medieval deer park, a landscape hardly touched for hundreds of years. With a large number of free attractions on offer, including the Visitor Centre, Park Experience room, several exhibitions and the entire deer park, a visit to Knole makes for a wonderful, fun and affordable day!

Haysden Country Park There are a wide variety of things to do at the country park, including walking, a children's play area, sailing, fishing and nature study. Pick your family project, pack your kit and make a day of it; and knowing you've got a beautiful backdrop take a camera!

Bluebell Hill Picnic Site A simple, pleasing site on which to take a family ramble, spot some of the millions of mini beasts and enjoy a picnic with excellent views. Explore the Neolithic long barrow remains for an imaginative and educational boost!

Westgate Gardens With riverside walks and the Toddler Cove play area, picnic spots, and family trails plus evening bat walks and open air events in summer, this is a pleasing spot that's shortly getting even better!

Sunny Sands Beach A hugely popular sandy beach at the eastern end of the Stade and Folkestone Harbour. It is a firm favourite with families throughout the summer, with good facilities nearby including WCs and cafés, pubs and beach shops.

Espression Interactive Art Studio Cafe A place for all age groups where you can drop by, try out some creative activities such as pottery painting, mosaic making and glass painting and have some really good fun!

This Art of Mine Studio We are an arts and crafts studio that offers a range of crafty activities and a relaxing space to unwind and get creative. Bring your family and friends and everyone can take part in an activity from pottery painting to jewellery making.

Kippys Paint Your Own Pottery We are a delightful pottery studio in Ashford offering a relaxed atmosphere for all ages to enjoy a creative experience. Painting your own pottery is a fun way to create a personal gift. Or just to while away a rainy day and enjoy time together with friends and family.

Mudpie Pottery Painting Creative Studio is a beautiful “just-walk-in” pottery painting studio with a huge selection of pieces for people of all ages and abilities to get creative. Also offering hand and foot impressions in paint and 3D clay, Decopatch and Foam Clay, parties and Storytelling Time.

Pottery Crafts 4U is a unique Paint Your Own Pottery Studio. We also offer craft, decopatch, embellishing and pottery workshops. We are situated in a Mediterranean style oasis just off Chatham High Street, attached to Nucleus Arts.

Hornby Visitor Centre Bring both your inner and outer children and explore all things Hornby, Scalextric, Airfix and Corgi! A delight for the mechanically minded plus the rare Pocher model gallery and multi media Airfix D-Day exhibition offer some departure from the chuff for those who want it.

Dreamland Britain's oldest theme park has been rescued and is now a new and improved version of it's former glory with rides aplenty, circus, adventure play, roller disco, loads of entertainments and more munch options than you can shake a carrot stick at. Classic Margate!

Riding Farm Equestrian Centre BHS approved facilities for schooling, jumping, and hacking with lessons available from 4 years plus, and private lead rein lessons for 3 year olds. Variety of well mannered mounts to choose from. Located in the heart of beautiful Kent countryside.

Strokes Adventure Golf We are an 18 hole mini golf course set in attractive surroundings which incorporate rockscapes, plants and water features. Overlooking the beautiful Westbrook Bay in Margate, Strokes Adventure golf is a skill based course with natural hazards that is both challenging and fun.

Lillyputt Mini Golf Championship designed mini golf course suitable for all the family with plenty of fun features and surprises: look out for the shark! Regular summer events held.

At Day Out With The Kids, we've tried to put together as many great things to do with kids in Kent as possible, especially those that are affordable for everyone. Popular towns and places to go include Canterbury, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells, and we'd also recommend you check out the nearby counties of East Sussex and Surrey. If you've been on a fun day out in the area you'd like to share, please contact us so other families visiting Kent can enjoy it too!